Nauvoo Week 42 (26 September - 2 October 2016)

Nauvoo Week 42 (26 September – 2 October 2016)

This was another incredible week in Nauvoo.  On Monday, we played golf and had a wonderful time.  Mom hit a few up in the air and promised to take some lessons next spring?  Later in the day the Sister Missionaries (Sisters Meza & Beach) from Mount Pleasant came to the Nauvoo Temple and then we took them to lunch at a Mexican Restaurant in Hamilton, IL for lunch.  The food was great; Sister Meza stated that transfers were coming up next week and that she would probably be transferred (she’s been here for 3 transfers).  That evening we attended a fireside/Family Home Evening where President Durrell C. Nelson was the speaker.  He spoke about his favorite things in Nauvoo; it was an entertaining evening with many stories of the construction of the Temple, the people of Nauvoo and some of his personal life.

Tuesday, we grabbed a bite to eat and went to one of the riverside picnic tables and read the scriptures.  The weather was perfect and the scenery beautiful.  We enjoyed the messages that we read that day.  We returned home and served in the Temple that afternoon/evening.

Wednesday, we attended the weekly missionary training meeting then continued on with testimonies of some of the missionaries that were converts to the Church.  The spirit was really strong as we listened to some of their conversion stories.

On Thursday, following our morning service in the Temple, we drove to Quincy, IL with Elder & Sister Massey (Farmington, UT).  We went shopping at Sam’s Club and ate at Texas Roadhouse.  It was a fun evening and great to get to know the Massey’s a little better.

Friday, we served in the Temple in the morning and then drove to New London, IA to watch a couple of the young Priests in our branch play football again. 

The weather was pretty cool and there was a mist that filled the air most of the night.  They won by the score of 42-0, so the boys were pretty excited, they are tied for first in their conference.  It was homecoming and there were a lot of people there considering that the entire number of students in the high school is 160.  They had people there from as early at 1966.  It was a fun atmosphere!  Tom also stayed up until 1:15am to watch the BYU versus Toledo football game…it was an ugly win, but a win!

Saturday the Temple was closed for General Conference and we were able to listen to all three sessions in our apartment.  We are grateful for those that lead, inspire and love us.  It was good to hear the messages that we all need in our lives at this time. 

Sunday, another wonderful day of General Conference.  The talks were outstanding and encouraged all of us to become better people and to prepare ourselves for those things which are to come.  It was good to hear from all of the Apostles, Seventies and General Officers of the Church.  We add our testimonies to those that were borne that this Church is the Kingdom of God here upon the earth, we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows each of us by name, His Son, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and He will come again to redeem His people. 

We have a living Prophet (Thomas S. Monson) on the earth today, the Book of Mormon is True!  We love the Lord and are grateful for the opportunity and privilege to serve Him as missionaries.  We pray the Lord’s choicest blessings to be with each of you now and forever.  God bless us to become more like Him each and every day.

Love,

Mom & Dad/Nana & Papa/Elder & Sister Shaw